RV Retirement Adventures

The Big D "A"

2011-10-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum is a treasure of colors. Thousands of chrysanthemums combined with 50,000 pumpkins, squash, and gourds are a treat for the eye. We spent a leisurely afternoon meandering down the paths, enjoying the wonderful gardens.

Aunt Mary's 95th Birthday

2011-10-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

This post is quite late, as I've been having trouble with Java Script. I finally figured out a way to post via Picassa, rather than directly on Blogger.com. So. . . Happy birthday, again, Aunt Mary. We had fun getting those 95 roses to you! And Edward had even more fun getting them back home with you.

The Little Engine that Could

2011-10-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

During our last few days here in St. Louis, we took a train ride along the Meramac River. The Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific operates a 12-gauge steam driven railroad every Sunday from May through October. With the beautiful weather and Fall colors, demand was high and all three trains were running to capacity. It was a family affair, with our granddaughter, daughter, and son-in-law.

Jelly Belly Comes Camping

2011-10-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

While here in Missouri, we had the pleasure of meeting the Jelly Belly team from California, here for a promotional at a local store. As you can imagine, they made friends quite easily and not just because of the samples they so freely shared!

Boo-Boo. Boo Hoo.

2011-05-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

I guess after three years on the road we were overdue for a major mishap. We were all packed up and headed out of town when about 30 miles down the road the transmission guage started heating up. Then as we looked for an exit, we lost the speedometer. Then as we slowed for the exit ramp, we lost the air brakes. We DID make the truck stop and called our emergency road service for a tow. Once hooked up to the tow truck, we got in our car (which we were towing) and headed for the service center. We arrived ahead of the tow truck and were checking in when the motorhome arrived. Along the way, major damage was incurred to the front end and to the rear rock guard. A bad situation had become worse. So now we're back in the townhouse until we can get everything worked out. Anyone want to buy a used RV?

Playing Local Tourist

2011-05-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

Drew's sister and her husband are visiting and we decided to take the tasting tour at Whetstone Chocolate Factory in St. Augustine. What a treat! Whetstone was a wholesale supplier to giants such as Nestle’s, Hershey and M&M Mars, but now only sells it's own brand. Our tour guide was not only informative, but entertaining as well. We got to "work the line" with a Lucy replica (remember the I Love Lucy episode where she couldn't keep up with the assembly line and was popping chocolates in her mouth to get rid of them?). A reaffirmation of the health benefits of chocolate, had us leaving with a bagful of delectable delights.

Home Sweet (New) Home

2011-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

We've been busy getting settled into our new townhouse. Lots of furniture to buy, an outdoor kitchen to design, unpacking and everything else that goes into a move. But the big stuff is done and we have a little time to sit back, enjoy, and entertain a little before we hit the road again. We're proud to share a few pictures of our new place. Three-car garage, killer kitchen, no yard work, no painting, life is good. . .

NOMADing in St. Petersburg

2011-01-26T02:30:00.000-08:00

Our blog's been silent as we spent time with family and friends. Now it's back on the RV road. We're with the NOMADS again doing volunteer work in St. Petersburg, Florida. The first week Drew redid a wood deck while I did some painting. Last week and this week we've been laying laminate flooring. It's our largest single project yet, covering a whole downstairs--living room, dining room, kitchen, den, foyer and hallway. We're pretty tired, but feel good knowing we've helped a very nice family here.

Christmas + Kids = FUN

2010-12-22T18:03:00.000-08:00

Ah, what laughs when you get six kids under the age of 13 together to celebrate a family Christmas. We had a great time in St. Louis with the kids and grandkids. We wish each of our blog followers a joyous Christmas and a wonderful new year.

Snow Dog

2010-12-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . . at least after today's snow. Our Florida dog wasn't too sure about it at first and didn't want to come out, but he was soon romping around having a great time. We're only one of two RV's in the campground here in the St. Louis area. Guess everyone else was smart enough to head south by now! We'll be doing the same right after Christmas. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Ice! in Texas

2010-11-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well, it was INSIDE, but it was ice none-the-less. The Gaylord Texan has an annual tradition of presenting a truly spectacular 14,000-square-foot "ICE!" exhibit. This year it was a Charlie Brown Christmas, featuring a variety of magical holiday scenes and sculptures hand-carved by 40 visiting artisans from China. Walking through the exhibit, you feel as though you've been transported to the North Pole. You bundle up in warm parkas and enter a winter wonderland created with TWO MILLION pounds of ice and kept at a wintry 9 degrees. Charlie Brown and friends have never been cooler.

Missouri Wine Country

2010-10-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

Autumn is a wonderful time to tour the wineries in central Missouri. We got together with Drew's sister, Kathleen, and her husband, Dave, and traveled the Missouri Weinstrasse from Defiance to Augusta. Lunch was at the Montelle Winery, on a deck overlooking the Missouri River valley. A spectacular setting.

A Family Affair

2010-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our 5-year-old granddaughter, Sophia, is playing soccer this year. Coaching the team are her parents, Jill and Tony. What a hoot to watch! The girls take the game pretty seriously, but their attention span often wanes.

Pet Rocks

2010-10-02T04:12:00.000-07:00

I developed a fascination with Michigan's Petoskey stones and couldn't take a walk without searching for them. I ultimately found close to 200 on the campground property. I only got around to polishing about half of them, since I don't have professional equipment to make the job easier. I kept the ones you see here and will be giving some to the grandkids and anyone else who shows an interest! Me and my Dremmel have been busy. The stones I polished but didn't keep are in the campground store and the unpolished ones will be given to a fellow rock enthusiast.

Leaving the Leaves

2010-09-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Our time in Michigan is drawing to a close, but not before we catch some early Fall colors. We don't have to venture far to enjoy. The campground and trails are resplendent with reds, oranges, yellows. It's time to go if we want to avoid all the raking!

Going U.P.

2010-08-30T04:26:00.000-07:00

We made our first foray into Michigan's Upper Peninsular. Our destination was Tahquamenon Falls, the second largest in the U.S., second only to Niagara Falls, spilling over 3300 gallons of water per SECOND. We also got our first glimpse of Lake Superior, another one of the Greats. Beautiful country U.P. here!

Pudgy Fudgies

2010-08-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

We went back to Mackinaw Island while my brother Robbie was visiting and indulged again in their famous fudge. Once you have, you become a "fudgie." Yum. Good eats.

Polish Cracker

2010-08-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

What happens when a Florida Cracker attends a Polish festival? You have a Polish Cracker! So many festivals, so little time. . . This one was in Boyne Falls and was complete with a Polka tent and of course the required Kielbasa, Polish sausage, and kraut. An added attraction was the pre-1960 classic tractor pull. Ya think this is farm country?

Petoskey Rocks!

2010-08-07T16:36:00.000-07:00

Both the town and the stones. We strolled the bay front park and looked at the immaculately restored homes and buildings near downtown and along the bay. You can see what was once a neglected church is now an impressive art center. The Petoskey Stone is Michigan's state stone. It is a type of coral from about 350 million years ago when this area of Michigan was a shallow marine sea. The "eyes" in the stone are actually individual cells where a small animal lived and harvested food. Lake Michigan beachcombers search for the stones, much as us Floridians look for sharks teeth. I've found some and am in the process of sanding and polishing them in hopes of them eventually looking like the sample in the picture!

The Beat of the (Steel) Drum

2010-07-23T03:55:00.000-07:00

What happens when you offer high schoolers an opportunity for fun and travel? You get a stage full of talented, energetic Steel Drum performers! The Petoskey HS program that started out about 14 years ago with a mere eight musicians, has grown to one of the most popular music programs in the State. All equipment, instruments, and expenses are paid for from fund raisers and the sale of CD's and a new DVD. These sought-out kids have performed several times in New Orleans, in Hawaii, and other parts of the country. During the summer they often perform as many as three concerts a day, spanning several cities. Their repertoire is diverse, too, from the traditional Jimmy Buffet songs, to Lord of the Dance, to the Nutcracker, to Deliverance's famous dueling banjos (steel drum style). For us, they were the highlight of Alpenfest. They rock!

I Love a Parade

2010-07-21T03:11:00.000-07:00

Gaylord's Alpenfest saves the best for last. Their parade is on Saturday, closing day for the festival. And what a parade! It went on for over an hour and included marching bands, floats, antique cars, local clubs and businesses, police, rescue, fire, and of course "dignitaries" such as Ronald MacDonald, Homer (Home Depot) and Jet (Jet's Pizza). A unique group was the local grocers' precision marching shopping carts! I'd estimate that over one third of the approximately fifty floats were queens and courts from other Michigan towns and festivals. This state loves it's festivals!

Alpenfest

2010-07-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

The third week of July is when the little town of Gaylord hosts a huge swiss-themed festival. Several blocks downtown are closed off for carnival rides, food booths and vendors. There are free events and concerts all day, and with the purchase of a souvenir pin for $3 you get free food and admission to special events held every day. Many families make this their annual vacation destination. Dirndl's and lederhosen abound!

Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries

2010-07-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

At least at the National Cherry Festival. We likened it to the Strawberry Festival in Plant City (FL), in that there were more ways to use cherries than you could imagine! Of course there's no pit spitting contest at the Strawberry Festival. (Can you believe there are people who can propel a cherry pit to over 50 feet?!) The week-long Cherry Festival is held along the beautiful shores of the bay in Traverse City, MI. Some of the festivities we enjoyed during our afternoon and evening there included the kids chalk art, the Air Dog competition, the wine sampling tent complete with a host sommelier (pictured in the green shirt by the barrel), and of course the live music venues.

Oldies but Goodies

2010-06-30T04:29:00.000-07:00

Northern Michigan has numerous car shows throughout the summer months. We drove over to Lewiston, a small town nearby, to catch one. There were 200 classics on display--almost more than the town population! A few of our favorites are pictured: A Bentley convertible, a Herman Munster Ford, and a stub-nosed Chevrolet commercial truck.

Wing Swinging

2010-06-22T03:34:00.000-07:00

A Friday night Big Band party under the wings of a B17 kicked off Gaylord's weekend air show. Attendees were encouraged to come in WWII period attire, which many did (although someone should tell the lady in the poodle skirt that she was more 50's era). We danced the night away to the very excellent 17-piece big band orchestra.

A Very Grand Hotel

2010-06-20T02:57:00.000-07:00

If any of you movie buffs ever saw "Somewhere in Time," you've seen The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. And grand it is. We strolled the manicured grounds, went up to the Cupola Bar for a rum punch, and spent time relaxing in a rocking chair on the longest porch in the world. When our RVing days are over, we'd love to splurge and come stay here as hotel guests.

Big Mac

2010-06-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

Mackinaw Island is everything we'd heard and more. Access is by passenger ferry. No autos are allowed, so even UPS is by horse-drawn wagons. What a quaint and picturesque village. We loved our leisurely afternoon there.

Wine Fest

2010-06-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

Leland, Michigan, is the Napa of Up North. The Leland Wine and Food Festival brought out both the foodie in us and the wine-oh. We grazed on Brie and ribs and fresh bakery bread while we sampled wine from some of the local wineries. Then we walked some of it off along the marina and in the picturesque little town.

New Moomers

2010-06-09T04:46:00.000-07:00

As avowed foodies, we're always on the lookout for good eats. Heretofore, Mayfield Dairy (TN) was our to-die-for ice cream place. Well, Moomers is right up there. Also a local, family production, Moomers is outside Traverse City (on a farm) and even on an overcast, drizzly day, the lines were long. My waffle cone had just come off the griddle and was still warm. Oh, yum. My mouth is watering just thinking of that great treat! You can bet we'll make the hour+ drive many times while we're here in Michigan.

Mama Bear

2010-06-07T03:44:00.000-07:00

How does God pay tribute to a faithful mother who lost her young? Why He creates a huge dune in her honor. So goes the legend of Sleeping Bear Dunes. A mother bear and her two cubs were forced into Lake Michigan on the Wisconsin side due to a raging forest fire. After swimming many hours, with the young ones behind, Mama bear finally made it to shore. She climbed up to the top of a high bluff to watch for her cubs. They tired just short of shore and drowned. Mama bear watched and slept and never left her post. Over time shifting sand has changed the dunes to where they don't resemble a bear anymore, but they are impressive, rising in places over 450 feet. Despite warning signs, some people dared the long trek down and even longer (seeming) trek back up.

Memorial Day at KOA

2010-05-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

Lots of us RVers proudly display American flags to commemorate Memorial Day. Here at the KOA in Gaylord, Michigan, there are lots of patriots. Thank you to all who served.

Welkom

2010-05-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Dutch culture can be found throughout Holland, Michigan. We enjoyed Windmill Island Gardens where we went up in De Zwaan (the swan), America's only authentic working Dutch windmill. It was built in 1761 and is the last authentic windmill the Dutch government allowed to leave the Netherlands, arriving in the States in late 1964. Other interesting sights included watching wooden shoes being made, and seeing the only production facility in North America for the popular Dutch pottery, Delftware.

Tulip Finale

2010-05-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

We didn't quite make the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan, but we did arrive in time to catch the last hurrah. All around town you can catch a glimpse of these colorful spring flowers, but the most magnificent display was at Veldheer Gardens. In 1950 Vern Veldheer started a farm as a hobby, planting 100 red and 300 white tulips; today the family plants over 5 million bulbs in a rainbow of colors.

Destination: Michigan

2010-05-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well, we've crossed into Michigan and got our first gander at Lake Michigan near South Haven. If I didn't know better, I'd think we were looking at the ocean on a calm day. The sand is a little coarser and darker, but the sea gulls look the same as back home in Florida.

Authentic Amish

2010-05-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

Nappanee, Indiana, is rich with the Amish culture. The local grocery store even has a covered area for parking horse and buggies. We enjoyed a "threshers" dinner under the hand-hewn timbers of the Restaurant Barn, a family style feast of Amish country favorites. This feast is reminiscent of the hearty fare cooked up by the women in the wood fired stoves, bake ovens, and smoke houses of the host farm in time for the noontime break in the threshing day. After dinner we went to the Round Barn Theatre for a fun 50's musical show called "The Taffetas."

Return to Birthplace

2010-05-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

Our 34,000 lb., 39 ft. Dutch Star motorhome was born in 2002 in Nappanee, Indiana. This week we returned to her birthplace, the Newmar Corp. We got to see how quality goes in to the building of RV's like the Dutch Star, Kountry Star, Mountain Aire, Essex, and other Newmar models. We saw four men push a 45-foot motor home to the next assembly station. Yep. The rig rests on air cushioned pads and when it's time to move it along, they apply air and the unit literally floats. After the factory tour we got to go inside each model and dream of a newer one one day.

Mid-West Contemporary?

2010-05-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

Sounds like an oxymoron, but the American Institute of Architects ranked Columbus, Indiana, sixth in America for architectural innovation and design. Amidst farms and cornfields sit more than 60 contemporary buildings created by world-renowned, prize winning architects. It started in 1942 with the boldly modern First Christian Church, followed by the contemporary Irwin Union Bank (designed by the architect of the St. Louis Arch). J. Irwin Miller, leader of Cummins Engine which is headquartered in Columbus, supported and made possible today's showcase of modern architecture by offering to pay the fees for A-list architects. Schools and churches outnumber other types of contemporary structures, but you will find banks, libraries, and even a jail and some fire stations.

Air Combat Museum

2010-05-11T06:13:00.000-07:00

Drew got his pick this day so we went to a local air museum in Springfield, IL. Of particular interest were the P51 Mustang, a famous fighter plane during World War II; the F4 Corsair, a night fighter also made famous in the book and TV show Baa Baa Black Sheep; and several early model drones.

Home Sweet Home

2010-05-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

It wasn't Lincoln Logs, but it was Lincoln's home. As a successful young lawyer and family man, Abraham Lincoln purchased his first home in Springfield, Illinois, in 1844. Around 1855 the single story home was enlarged to the two-story 3000 square foot home it is today. Many of the furnishings purchased and used by the Lincolns still remain.

Lincoln Presidential Museum

2010-05-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

We spent the afternoon visiting with the Lincolns. Really. The Museum has figures so realistic you expect them to blink any minute. It is truly the most impressive museum we've seen--a wonderful way to experience history. The two theatres have presentations worthy of Speilberg. And as you walk through the exhibits, you feel transformed back into the 1800's.

Lincoln Land

2010-05-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

We're making our way from St. Louis to Michigan, with some stops along the way. One is Springfield, Illinois, the adult home of Abraham Lincoln. We actually started at the end--Lincoln's Tomb, an impressive 117-foot structure with a soaring obelisk. The base is flanked on each corner with huge bronze sculptures depicting each of the four Civil War Services--infantry, artillery, cavalry, and navy. Abe, Mary, and three of their four sons are buried in the Tomb.

Grant's Farm

2010-04-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

While back in Missouri for a month or so visiting family, we decided to take in some sights. Drew and I both love the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, so we wanted to see where they're raised. Anheuser-Busch is the largest owner and breeder in the world of these beautiful creatures. We were able to see a new foal romping with it's mother as well as nuzzle up to some "big boys" in the stables. The Busch family purchased the acreage near downtown St. Louis originally owned by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and opens the grounds free of charge to the public.

Graceland

2010-03-22T04:48:00.000-07:00

Elvis is in the house. PICTURES of Elvis! The two of us helped Graceland keep the distinction of being the most visited homesite anywhere. Not only is it a step back in time to the 50's and 60's era, but also some insights into "the King" when he was out of the public eye. By today's pop star standards, Graceland is rather modest, but it certainly has Elvis's aura about it.

Memphis BBQ and Blues

2010-03-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

With the weather turning a bit warmer, we left Florida and headed to Memphis, a city we'd passed through several times, but never stopped. Our RV park is right at Graceland, with good eats and shuttles just a walk away. We couldn't visit Memphis without sampling their renown BBQ. Drew's favorite: pulled pork sandwiches. My favorite: ribs. We strolled Beale Street and not only sampled the BBQ, but the blues music that spilled out onto the sidewalks. BB King's Blues Club was one of the highlights of our Beale Street experience.

Not ALL Work

2010-03-18T03:40:00.000-07:00

NOMADS work hard M-Th, but after that, we get to play. And play we did. . . From checking out local restaurants, to the awesome strawberry shortcake in Plant City, to the local Oakhurst theatre production "Broadway." We rested on our days off, but we certainly weren't idle.

Fencing Expert

2010-03-16T03:29:00.000-07:00

Drew is quickly becoming known for his fencing expertise. No, not the sport of fencing, but the task of fencing. Drew and two other NOMADS tore down and reinstalled a new fence all in one day. Nice work, guys.

New Heights

2010-03-14T01:10:00.000-08:00

We ended our first 3-week NOMADS project and started another. The main task for this three weeks was to paint the entire exterior of Oakhurst United Methodist Church in Seminole, Florida. Drew did lots of pressure-washing, while others on the team followed behind with primer, then base coat. I made the mistake of admitting that I'm not afraid of heights, and was therefore sent up on the roof to paint!

I'm Floored

2010-03-12T17:01:00.000-08:00

Actually, the choir loft was floored, not me. Laminate was my (Linda's) project. The angles almost drove me crazy, but thankfully, God was present and He helped maintain my sanity.

Don't Fence Me In

2010-02-27T06:51:00.000-08:00

Drew wore himself out putting in a new fence at the Parsonage. Although the running footage wasn't a lot, the weight of each panel certainly was! Other members of the team removed a rotted fence and replaced it at the home of an elderly woman. Rewarding, but tiring work.

Volunteer Projects

2010-02-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

We've accomplished quite a lot in our first three weeks here in St. Petersburg. One of the more ambitious undertakings was to turn a garage into a bedroom for one of the church families. The mom and dad had given up their bedroom so their son and daughter could have a room of their own as they approached their teens. A breezeway between the kitchen and garage has been their bedroom for several years. Our NOMADS team gave them the bedroom they'd hoped for! Drew was part of the framing and drywall team, while I came in at the end and laid the laminate flooring.

NOMADS Again

2010-02-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

The holidays are over and the new year has begun, so it's time to hit the road. We're doing a volunteer project with the NOMADS in St. Petersburg, Florida. St. Luke's Methodist Church is our host and we're working on and in the church as well as at some homes of members' in need. I'll post the results of some of our projects as they are completed. The congregation here has opened it's arms to our team of five couples. We've been included in all the church activities and have been fed by some of their best cooks! I'm not quite sure whether they or we are the greater recipient of our volunteer efforts.

Holidays and Family Time

2009-12-23T14:20:00.000-08:00

Our blog has been rather quiet for a while, as we've been spending time with family in St. Louis, Ohio, and Jacksonville. We're staying put in Jacksonville through January, catching up with friends and family, counting our blessings, and planning our travels for 2010. To all of you who follow our blog, best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and may 2010 bring you good health and happiness. From Buddy, Drew and Linda.

Deja Vu View

2009-10-25T06:09:00.001-07:00

It's Fall again, and we're workamping at KOA. Sound familiar? But this time we're in the St. Louis area, not Tennessee. We happened upon this workamper job while visiting family and agreed to stay until the KOA closes for the season Nov. 1. The Fall colors are beautiful and we don't even have to leave the park to enjoy them.

Precious Moments

2009-09-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, we've had some great moments visiting with the grandkids in the St. Louis area since August 12, but this post is about the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri. On a trip to the RV dealer in Carthage, MO, to have some work done on the motor home, we took the opportunity to drop in at Precious Moments for a tour. Inspired by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in Rome, Precious Moments artist and creator, Samuel J. Butcher, designed and constructed the Precious Moments Chapel as his way of sharing the joy of his faith with the world. Each of the dozens of murals were hand painted by him. The mural “Hallelujah Square” celebrates the lives of real children whose lives ended too soon, but whose stories continue to bring a message of love, hope and peace.

Let's Hear it for the Boys

2009-08-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

We just completed our volunteer work at the United Methodist Boys Ranch located on the South end of Tenkiller Lake near Gore, OK. We've been away from good wireless speeds, so I've gotten a little behind on my blogs. Drew and I worked in the residence buildings, painting and repairing. The Boys Ranch is for "at-promise" teens and pre-teens experiencing problems which prevent them from living at home or in foster care. There is an on-site school for the boys in the residence program. After "graduating" from the residence program, those youth in the independent living program are allowed to attend public schools. An unusual component of the Ranch is the Animal Therapy Program where the boys learn to care for animals (horses, cows, chickens!) and their skills are showcased when they host an annual rodeo. You can read more about this wonderful place at: www.circleofcare.org/site/03residential/umboysranch.html. Donations always welcome!

Oklahoma--OK!

2009-08-11T05:33:00.000-07:00

In truth, Guthrie, OK, is more than just okay. It boasts the largest contiguous district on the National Register of Historic Places, with over 400 blocks and 2100 buildings. The old downtown area's brick beauties once housed banks, bars, bordellos, and more. It's an interesting area. You can stroll down the streets and read the histories from the brass standards mounted on the sidewalks. Or you can go inside, as we did, and partake of the current proprietors' offerings.

Cattlemen's Cafe Cuisine

2009-08-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

Steaks and stockyards--highlights of Oklahoma City. Cattle auctions are still held weekly at Stockyards City in the heart of Oklahoma City. For decades, when cattlemen and cowboys (tourists too!) come to town, they stop at Cattlemen's Cafe, which is the state's busiest restaurant. Operating since 1910 and expanded numerous times, Cattlemen's is THE place for steaks. Desserts too. Yessir, we agree. Yum.

Do you know the way. . .

2009-07-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

. . .to Santa Fe? We do. And it's a wonderful town full of culture and artistry. Palace of the Governors is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the U.S., dating back to 1610. Native American artisans abound and display their work under it's portico and in the neighboring plazas. The architecture in this olde town area is mostly adobe style and is filled with cafes, galleries and museums. The perfect place for an afternoon stroll.

The Ultimate Artist

2009-07-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

The Painted Desert in Eastern Arizona near Holbrook has more colors than a giant box of Crayolas. And nature did it all. The hues change with the sun's position, providing interest throughout the daylight hours. Another beautiful reflection of God's handiwork. . .

A Grand Time

2009-07-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Grand Canyon is appropriately named: 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide, a mile deep, rock nearly 2 billion years old in the bottom of the canyon. The park's free shuttle system is really convenient and allowed us to ride to some of the overlooks or hike along the 12-mile rim trail to others. The views are awesome, but not for those with tendencies toward vertigo.

Viva Las Vegas

2009-07-23T06:00:00.001-07:00

On our way to the Grand Canyon, we stopped over in Las Vegas at Arizona Charlie's. What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. No pictures. No comment.

Byway Highway

2009-07-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

Scenic Highway 12 is officially designated as "All American Road" and it's 112 miles provides some of the prettiest this country has to offer. The contrast of hues from the red rock, to the deep green evergreens, to the brilliant blue skies dotted with pure white clouds is breathtaking.

We do Hoodoos

2009-07-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

What are hoodoos? They are carved pinnacles of stone, and Bryce Canyon National Park has spectatular ones of varied shapes and colors. To me, the Canyon looks like thousands of chess figures standing tall awaiting their move. Although the park road is a mere 18 miles long, it's strategically placed overlooks pack some amazing panoramas. We walked part of the 11-mile Rim Trail which affords views of the Canyon from almost every angle.

Whittled Wilderness

2009-07-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

Gravity and water from the Green River and the Colorado River carved hundreds of canyons, mesas, buttes, arches, and spires in the Colorado Plateau. Canyonlands National Park preserved this vast wilderness of rock and it remains fairly untrammeled today. While most of its roads are unpaved and its trails primitive, there are numerous overlooks and short hikes that offer incredible vistas.

Golden Arches

2009-07-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

The arches are actually red unless you catch Arches National Park at sunrise or sunset. This area boasts one of the world's greatest densities of natural arches--over 2,000 catalogued. Landscape Arch (shown) is the longest, measuring 306 feet across. Not only are the arches fascinating, but so are the spires, pinnacles, and precariously-balanced rocks that look ready to topple. Drew and I had lots of fun using our imagination on the never-ending rock formations, much like you do when cloud glazing. We decided the Park could name a gazillion such formations rather than just the handful they have, like Three Gossips (shown) and Balanced Rock. But then, of course, you'd need months to make your way through the Park!

Temple Square

2009-07-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' 35 acres in downtown Salt Lake City contain some wonderful sites rich in history and a campus of beautiful gardens. The domed-shaped Tabernacle was completed in 1875 and was an amazing engineering achievement in that the 150-foot span had no center supports. The acoustics are incredible. Our host stood on stage and tore strips of paper to demonstrate how the ripping sound carries throughout the building as if there was a microphone. The Tabernacle houses an organ with close to 12,000 pipes. Salt Lake Temple is the largest of the 120 LDS temples world wide. Brigham Young personally selected the Salt Lake City site and the Temple was dedicated in 1893. The beautiful Victorian Gothic Assembly Hall was constructed using mostly discarded granite stone from the Temple and was completed in 1882. Church headquarters are housed in a skyscraper towering above the city with views in all directions.

Practice Makes Perfect

2009-07-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

When you hear singing as awesome as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, you don't really think they'd need much practice. We had the privilege of sitting in on Thursday night rehearsals and were thoroughly fascinated. Because of the Choir's popularity, most performances are now in the Conference Center rather than the now-too-small Tabernacle. The Choir has 360 volunteer members and was formed in 1847. Their first radio broadcast Music and the Spoken Word took place in 1929 and is the longest continually running program in the world. I tried the video feature for the first time on my digital camera and was able to capture some of the singing as well as photos. We're enjoying being able to hear again and again the wonderful music.

Large and Lovely

2009-07-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

Flathead Lake, southwest of Glacier National Park, is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It is 28 miles long and up to 15 miles wide, comprising more than 188 square miles of clear, strikingly blue water. With temperatures in the 80's this Fourth of July weekend, Flathead Lake and Flathead River (where we are camped) got lots of action, yet hardly seemed busy.

Going-to-the-Sun

2009-07-04T17:08:00.000-07:00

No, we're not bee-lining it back to Florida. We're in Montana's Glacier National Park. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only way through the heart of the Park. It's 53 miles long, took 12 years to build, and was completed in 1932. Quite frankly, I thought I was on Going-to-my-Death Road as we neared Logan's Pass, the highest point. Looking out my window at a vertical drop of 6,000+ feet made my palms sweaty. Glacier National is a beautiful park and the scenery was well worth the occasional anxiety.

Multnomah Falls

2009-06-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

The drive East from Portland is Columbia River Gorge-ous (pardon the pun!). The Oregon Scenic Route is 80 miles long and follows the river the whole way. The Columbia River is the fourth largest in North America, is over 1200 miles long, and produces the most hydroelectric power. One of the highlights of the drive along the Gorge is Multnomah Falls with its 620 foot drop. The stone bridge was crafted by Italian stone masons in 1914. Now with Multnomah Falls, we've seen the tallest (Yosemite Falls) and the second tallest waterfalls in the U.S.

A Moose of a Goose

2009-06-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

The world's largest wooden airplane, the Spruce Goose, resides in li'l ole McMinnville, Oregon. The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum was the vision of Capt. Michael King Smith, an award-winning pilot and a remarkable young man. The Spruce Goose was designed during World War II to transport troops and cargo across the Atlantic. Because materials like steel and aluminum were critical to the war effort, the "flying boat" was made of laminated wood. The plane took so long to design and build that the war had already ended. The only time it ever flew, it was piloted by Howard Hughes on a test flight and was airborne for just one minute! It was built, housed, and displayed by different groups (including Disney Corp.) in the Long Beach, California, area until 1990 when custody was awarded to Evergreen. Although the restoration and current facility were not complete by 1993 when Capt. Michael King Smith died in an auto accident at age 29, his family and Evergreen Aviation continued to support the project until the vision became reality.

Majestic Mt. Hood

2009-06-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

The drive out Highway 26 from Portland to Mt. Hood National Forest provides glimpses of Mt. Hood around every curve. Rising over 11,000 feet, it's actually hard to hide. Beautiful Mt. Hood has snow year-round and you can find snowboarders and skiers there all summer long. Lifts run from Timberline where there is a wonderful old lodge built in 1937 as part of Roosevelt's WPA efforts. The view from the 6,000-foot elevation is spectacular, encompassing most of the Cascade mountain chain. Especially for us Florida flatlanders, it's pretty impressive.

Picturesque Portland Parks

2009-06-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

Washington Park's 400 acres in the West hills of Portland is one of the most beautiful settings anywhere. On a clear day like we had today, you can see Mt. Hood, downtown Portland, and the Willamette River. To the North, you can see across the Columbia River into Washington and over to Mt. St. Helens. We spent the afternoon strolling among the 7,000 rose bushes at the International Rose Test Garden, through the tranquil and authentic Portland Japanese Garden, and on the grounds of Pittock Mansion 1000 feet above the city's skyline. Another picture-perfect day. . .

Seaside Scenes

2009-06-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

It's hard to pick out just a few pictures from all the gorgeous scenes we've experienced. And it's almost impossible to take a bad picture. But here are a few of our favorites as we bid the Oregon coast adieu.

Astounding Astoria

2009-06-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

Astoria is as far north as you can go on the Oregon coast. It's where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. From atop Coxcomb Hill, the 360 degree vista is stunning. The Astoria Column on Coxcomb Hill rises another 125 feet and has 14 murals etched into the concrete to commemorate the westward sweep of discovery and migration. What an awesome place to conclude our travels along the beautiful Oregon coast.

Cheese, Please

2009-06-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

You can't go to the northern Oregon coast and not stop and sample cheese at 100-year-old Tillamook Cheese. Of course the ice cream isn't shabby either! There's a new kid on the block, Blue Heron, that specializes in Brie and also offers wine tasting. So between the two, we've come home satiated and stocked up.

Sea Life

2009-06-20T07:44:00.001-07:00

This has been a great time of year for finding lots of wildlife along the Oregon coast. From seals, to sea lions, to gray whales, to otters, and of course all kinds of birds. Some of the animals we sought out, while others, we just happened upon. The seals were discovered when we pulled off the road high above the Pacific to enjoy a beautiful vista. We heard the seals "honking" as we stepped out of the car. They were so plentiful you could not see the rocks they were lounging on, and the racket they were making was almost deafening, yet laughable. The sea lions we sought out. We went to the worlds largest sea cave, which is north of Florence. You can see hundreds of sea lions outside on the rocks or you can take the elevator 200 feet down and peek inside the huge cave and see hundreds more. Who needs TV when you have this kind of entertainment.

Let There Be Light

2009-06-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

Oregon has nine historic landmark lighthouses along it's 300 miles of Pacific coastline. We've been to five so far and should see the last four as we journey northward. The local communities seem to take great pride in their history, as the lighthouses are well maintained and some continue in operation even today. I don't know what it is that draws me to these lighthouses. Perhaps it's that they are in such beautiful locations, perched high on the cliffs overlooking the channels they protect. Or perhaps it's the reminder that we always have a light to show us the way.

Dune Buggies

2009-06-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is fun for the whole family, especially if you like riding ATV's. With forty miles of coastline and dunes as high as 500 feet for your playground, there's a challenge for every level. Across the street from our RV park is a county campground that's inexpensive and very popular with young families. There are WAY more ATV's than RV's! For the less adventuresome, there's always the beach, just a short trek over the low dunes. The southern Oregon coast is a great place for the outdoor enthusiast!

River Rats

2009-06-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

The allure of the Rogue River is compelling. We spent our last day in the Crater Lake area exploring the river in and around Prospect, where we're staying. We tromped down trails to several beautiful and powerful waterfalls. We walked along the Rogue River Gorge. We took the National Park trail to Natural Bridge. We even took Buddy down the trail from the RV park to the river. I'm so in love with this scenic river which begins at Crater Lake and ends in the Pacific Ocean. Another of God's magnificent works. . .

Crater Soup

2009-06-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Contrasting the beautiful, sunny day we had on the Rogue River was our misty, overcast afternoon at Crater Lake National Park. The six-mile wide, 2,000-foot-deep lake was formed when Mt. Mazama erupted and collapsed into itself and it is the deepest lake in the U.S. Only a small portion of Rim Drive (the 33-mile road that circles the lake) was open due to still being closed from snow. The temperatures barely reached a high of 40 degrees. While we couldn't experience the full vista of cliffs rising 2,000 feet above the lake, the view was still very beautiful, almost serene in the hovering mist.

Where the fruits and nuts are. . .

2009-06-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

No, not California; we're outta there. I'm talking about Harry and David in Medford Oregon. We took the factory tour, and although it's their off-season, lots was still going on. We saw toffee made, truffles prepared, cookies decorated, and "gift towers" assembled and wrapped. A vast amount of the operation continues to be done by hand, taking special care in selection of each piece of fruit and how it's presented. We made selections from Harry and David's Country Village store after consuming the samples we got at the conclusion of our tour.

Rogue Rapids

2009-06-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

We took the "senior's" version of a white water raft trip on the wild and scenic Rogue River in Southern Oregon. Translation: Our guide did all the work! The movie The River Wild with Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon was filmed in nearby Hellsgate Canyon and on other parts of the river where our trip took us. It was a beautiful day, about as good as it gets in Oregon--sunny, 80 degrees, calm. We saw some wildlife (deer, osprey, turtles), but mostly just enjoyed a serene (albeit wet!) outing on a gorgeous, untouched river.

Napa Nosh

2009-06-06T06:48:00.002-07:00

We're all fixed up and on our way again, but as true foodies, we couldn't leave the area without commenting on some of the good eats. From picnicking under a canopy of trees and surrounded by the scent of roses in a winery garden to four-star gourmet restaurants, the choices for dining are almost as endless as the opportunities for wine-tasting. Just a couple that left lasting impressions are Napa Valley Grill in Yountsville and Rutherford Grill in Rutherford. The presentation of the entrees looked like works of art. You hesitated to mess them up but were glad you did! On the menus there were enough traditional offerings to appeal to me, but also more adventuresome items for Drew's taste. At Rutherford's Drew had Bangers and Mash. Now how often do you find THAT in a restaurant?!

So many wineries. So little time.

2009-06-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

As long as we are stuck in Napa (aw darn) we've tried to make the best of it by visiting more wineries. The quest is never ending, as are the wineries. Three stand out because of their uniqueness.

We loved the way Sterling Vineyard's wine tour was laid out. You begin with an aerial tram ride up to the Mediterranean style winery and tasting areas. There you begin a self-paced walking tour with tastings at various points along the way. There is a beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the length of Napa Valley to the South, and a lovely patio in another section that towers over the Valley facing North. On the quarter-hour, eight bells toll, sending the sound throughout the area. Castello di Amorosa "the castle" Winery is an authentic replica of a 12th century Tuscan castle. There are 107 rooms, 8,000 tons of hand-squared stones, a drawbridge, mote, dungeon, and lots more. Despite the grandiose facility, the castle produces only 15,000 cases of wine which is sold only at the winery. V. Sattui also sells their wine exclusively at the winery. They have the only gourmet cheese and deli shop on premise and you can take your picnic selection out among their two acres of beautifully landscaped grounds to enjoy.

So many wonderful wineries. We tried to do our part. Next stop? AA.

Napa Neighborhood Charm

2009-06-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, we're still in Napa, CA. We had some wind damage to the canvas on our RV and are awaiting parts. Not a bad place though to get stuck! It has given us time to stroll around the charming town of Napa and enjoy the lovely restored bungalows and houses, of which there are many. We're also exploring the cute neighborhood shops and cafes, enjoying our extended time here.

Schlepping around San Francisco

2009-05-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

We took the passenger ferry from Vallejo into San Francisco and spent the afternoon being typical tourists. We elected to take a "hop on, hop off" bus tour so we could spend time wherever we fancied. My favorite of the day was walking around Alamo Square and looking at the beautiful Victorian row houses, including the famous "Painted Ladies". Drew's favorite was China Town and it's colorful streets and stores. We had to really hoof it the two miles back to the ferry terminal from Fisherman's Wharf in order to catch the 5:00 run, only to learn that the ferry also picks up right AT Fisherman's Wharf. My skill as a tour guide is waning. . .

Coast to Coast

2009-05-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

We've been in California the whole month of May, but just now made it to the actual coast. And what a magnificent place it is. Point Reyes National Seashore's 16,000+ acres are across the bay just north of San Francisco. It is one of the newer National Parks, designated as such in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. The beaches have high cliffs, typical of the Pacific Coast. The Point Reyes lighthouse is a local landmark and was operational until 1975. Having walked on the sandy beaches here in California, we can now say we've been coast to coast, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Stickermania

2009-05-21T18:44:00.001-07:00

Probably only you scrapbooking aficionados have heard of Mrs. Grossman's. As one of those aficionados myself, when I learned about the factory tour in nearby Petaluma, I just HAD to go. Andrea Grossman (a graphic artist) began with one red heart sticker design that was requested by a paper company to adorn Valentine's Day shopping bags. There was an "oops" at the printer; the stickers came out in rolls rather than sheets, and an industry of rolls of stickers was born. The factory and corporate headquarters produces more than 15,000 miles of stickers per year, with printing presses that can roll out a half million per hour! Around the walls of the craft room are displays (by year) of new stickers that were created.

Employees can bring their dogs to work, in fact, Mrs. Grossman brings her dog, Angus, who also serves as the spokesman, er. . . spokesdog?. . . in the company video. What happens to less-than-perfect stickers? They become part of the donation programs to children's hospitals--more than 20 million stickers to date. As part of the tour, we got free stickers, a romp with Angus, a card-making kit, and discounted products in the company store. Drew had to drag me out else I'd still be there!

Sonoma Valley Wineries

2009-05-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

We chose Platypus Tours for our Sonoma experience because they specialize in smaller, "hidden gem" wineries that we might have missed had we only ventured out on our own or gone with a larger tour. We were picked up right at our RV site. No driving for us after visiting five wineries for tastings! Our diverse tour included Buena Vista Winery, which is California's oldest premium winery, and Loxton Winery, which was established in only 1996. Loxton sells only out of it's winery location (no distribution) and is owned and run by a very hospitable Aussie, Chris Loxton, who autographed the bottles of wine we purchased! B. R. Cohn Winery belongs to Bruce Cohn, who manages The Doobie Brothers, and where an annual charity event is held each year with the Doobie Brothers performing. Chateau St. Jean and Ledson wineries were the most elaborate we visited. Chateau St. Jean is a popular spot for weddings and other functions because of it's beautiful gardens. It was also where we had our own lovely outdoor lunch. The Ledson property is referred to as "the castle" and was actually planned to be the family residence. But because of the intense public interest as it was being built, and the success of their Merlot harvest they had sold to other wineries, they decided to turn the home into a winery and tasting room. We thoroughly enjoyed our more intimate visits with the "little guys."

Belly Laughs

2009-05-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Jelly Belly that is. If a person can't find something he/she likes from 50 flavors of Jelly Belly or 150 different candies, it's hopeless. The Jelly Belly factory tour showed us all the steps of the candy-making process and rewarded us with our very own package of Jelly Belly jelly beans. From a modest 8 flavors in 1976 to today's 50 (and growing), Jelly Belly is the world's Number One gourmet jelly bean. And it's amazing what an artist can do with a pile of 10,000 or so Jelly Bellys and some glue! Jelly Belly was Ronald Reagan's favorite candy (he preferred licorice). We loved our Jelly Belly visit, but no, we didn't repaint our motor home, although we talked about it.

Wine Train

2009-05-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

As first-timers in Napa Valley, we couldn't resist a trip on the Wine Train. It seemed the thing to do, and we weren't disappointed. The festivities started at the depot at 11:00 am with a wine tasting, after which we boarded the train. As the beautiful, rolling Napa Valley and vineyards chugged by, we leisurely enjoyed a full-course gourmet lunch in the ornate dining car. After our lunch settled, we were invited into the dessert and wine-tasting car for more culinary delights. Then the train made a short stop to let some of us off to board a shuttle to the Domaine Chandon winery where we sampled some of the French sparkling wines for which they are so well known. Fortunately for us, our RV park is very close to the train depot. We needed a nap after all the good food and wine!

Reflections of Yosemite

2009-05-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

I think almost every National Park has a Mirror Lake. Yosemite is no exception. By some standards, it's rather small, however. But the hike up the trail to see the lake which followed a swiftly flowing river was quite beautiful. We also had views of many of the park's numerous waterfalls from our trail. Our stroll through Yosemite Village included a visit to the Ansel Adams gallery which has a wonderful display of his remarkable photography. We saw some "crazies" rock climbing El Capitan-- 3500 vertical feet of granite! From the ground they looked like ants and were hard to spot without binoculars. With this trip to Yosemite, we have now been to the most visited National Park (Yosemite) and the least visited National Park (Big Bend).

Spring Thaw in Yosemite

2009-05-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

When snow melts on 9,000-11,000 foot high mountain peaks, the water's gonna run downhill--and fast! At Yosemite National Park's Bridalveil Falls the drop is 620 feet (approximately the height of a 62-story skyscraper). Yosemite Falls has a drop of 2425 feet! The sound of this cascading water is truly thunderous. In order to get close to the base of Bridalveil, we donned rain gear to stay at least somewhat dry. When the water finally lands, it goes everywhere!

BIG Trees

2009-05-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

We're camped just outside the gates of Sequoia National Park and ventured in to see the giant Sequoias. Drew is pictured in front of "General Sherman", thought to be among the oldest (2200 years) and largest (1385 tons) trees on Earth. The sequoias grow naturally only on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada at 5,000-7,000 feet of elevation. It truly is like a religious experience to walk among these gentle giants. Awesome.

Bone Scavengers

2009-04-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

A portion of the Mojave Airport is referred to as an airplane boneyard. In 1990 Eastern Airlines asked to store some planes in this dry desert air that makes it safe from corrosion. Soon other airlines chose this site for their surplus and over 200 planes were stored here. Some of the airliners were older planes that did not meet noise standards, or needed new engines; a few were new Boeing 747's awaiting British Airways' need overseas (which never materialized). Most became scrap and are now cannibalized for parts. The Mojave Airport is also a renowned civilian flight test center and home to some unique aircraft such as the Rutan Voyager (record for nonstop unfueled flight around the world), the Proteus (high-altitude telecommunications relay), and SpaceShipOne (first private manned spacecraft). Hollywood has come calling many times to shoot movies here such as Speed, Waterworld, Flight Plan, Die Hard II, and others.

Crystal Cathedral

2009-04-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

As a great fan of Robert Schuller and The Hour of Power, the Crystal Cathedral was a "must see" of mine. It's amazing to think that Dr. Schuller started this church at the Orange Drive-In in 1955, and became known for his walk-in/drive-in services. The first structure that was designed and built kept this in mind and had a raised pulpit and glass walls, so people in their cars could see Dr. Schuller while he preached. Out of those humble, but popular beginnings, rose today's 10,000 window Crystal Cathedral, fully paid for when opened and dedicated in 1980. It is designed to withstand an 8+ earthquake, and it's 900 strategically placed operational windows create natural air conditioning--years ahead of its time. The 13-story Tower of Hope was built and opened earlier (in 1968) to house the first church-sponsored 24-hour suicide and crisis prevention hotline, which is still operational today. Atop the Tower is a 90-foot high neon-lit cross that can be seen for miles across the valley. On the tenth anniversary of the Cathedral (1990), the Bell Tower and Spire were dedicated. Housed inside this structure of highly polished stainless steel prisms, is a 52-bell carillon. Everything on this magnificent campus is well done and truly is "to the glory of man for the greater glory of God."

San Diego Zoo

2009-04-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

How can you be in Southern California and not go to the San Diego Zoo? We spent the afternoon at the 1800-acre Wild Animal Park, strolled the two-mile Kilimanjaro Safari Walk, and saw wonderful wildlife in as natural a habitat as California can accomplish. Being that it's springtime, there were lots of very cute babies, from giraffes, to lions, to elephants. San Diego's not-for-profit Zoo is devoted to the conservation of endangered species and research work around the globe. Our experience reinforced that they do a wonderful job.

Hotel Hopping

2009-04-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

The Phoenix and Scottsdale area has some very posh resorts, so we went in search of some of them--not to stay at, but to ogle. The Boulders Resort (actually in Carefree, AZ) is hard to pick out among the huge granite rocks that appear precariously perched. Enlarge the picture and see how many buildings you can find! There are 48 Pueblo-styled villas, two championship golf courses, and the Golden Door Spa on the property. A beautiful place to just meander around. Further up the road we had a late lunch at the Four Seasons Resort, at Troon North. The food at the China Moon was scrumptious and a nice ending to our hotel hopping trek.

In Plane Sight

2009-04-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson has over 200 acres, more than five giant hangars, and over 275 aircraft on display. As the largest non-government aviation museum and with 125,000 artifacts, there's hardly another place like it for exploring military, commercial, and civil aviation heritage. From the popular B-24 Superfortress, SR-71 Blackbird, and rare WWII German V-1 "buzz bomb" to the smallest airplane, the "BumbleBee" (pictured), the giant PBM-Mariner seaplane (pictured) and more recent Kennedy/Johnson Air Force One (pictured), this museum has something for everyone. We took the outdoor tram tour with a very knowledgeable guide who provided insights into a vast array of aircraft, such as what it was used for, any well-known figures who had flown it, what the pilots thought of the craft (sometimes not very highly!), what some pitfalls were, etc. Pima Air has a few planes that are one-of-a-kind, for example, a F-107 designed and built for the military by North American to travel at Mach 2, but which lost the bid to Republic's F-105 due to a slightly better design. While we were at the museum, also touring were a group of former Tuskegee Airmen, who were America's first and only all-Black military aviators.